Santa Ynez

I finally got a second!  As I mentioned yesterday, the hubby and I had an incredible time in Santa Ynez with friends this past weekend.  Here are some of the photos I promised to share.  When it came to our favorite parts of the trip, there truly is nothing I would have changed but the major highlights included our hotel, the Santa Ynez Inn (completely surpassed our expectations), our private tasting of Tantara at the home of the winemaker, cupcake and wine pairing at Saarloos and Sons and dancing the night away at Maverick Saloon (that not only included beer bottles, country line dancing, and pinning dollar bills to the ceiling but also a John Corbett sighting).  All I can say is, I WANT TO GO BACK!

Second Time

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Today the hubby and I are heading out for a weekend of wine tasting with friends for the second time this month.  Different wine country, different friends, same activity.  Perhaps we did not have enough wine over the holidays or perhaps the holidays have driven us to need even more time away.  Whatever it is, I am really looking forward to the drive, the boutique inn, the wine, the food and most importantly, the friends.

Keep an eye out for what we are up to on instagram (@jugglinginheels) and I hope you all have a fabulous weekend.

Friday

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Today marks the last day of Christmas break for the kids and the last weekend before returning to "reality".  In order to rejuvenate (and perhaps sleep past 7am), the hubby and I are heading out of town this afternoon to spend the weekend wine tasting with friends.  I am SO looking forward to this time with him as it seems our time to actually communicate with each other continues to decline as the children become more and more involved.  After three trips with the kids in the second half of the year, we are ready for a little quiet/alone time.  

Any fun plans for you this weekend?

Birthday Cheers for the Hubby

Happy 35th to the best...

hubby

daddy

friend

a girl could know!

I also love that he is willing to stop mid-dance to get a great over-exposed camera photo.  

That is pretty important in a relationship.

Love you babe!

11 Years

11 years.

It is crazy.

A few observations.

1. We look like babies

2. My hair is way too high.. and yes, I chose to put those white things in there

3. Please note that I am wearing gloves
4. This is when I still had boobs

5. Men have it so easy on wedding days

It is amazing how much our life has changed since October 27, 2001.
I have loved our story so far and I cannot wait to keep writing it.

Happy Anniversary (tomorrow) Hubby!

Hollywood and Vine

There is only one way to describe the 20 hours I spent in Hollywood with the hubby and two of our dear friends.  EPIC.

It really was quite incredible.  A hotel room at The Redbury (cannot wait to stay there again), drinks at The W, dinner and an orchestra at the Hollywood Bowl and dancing the night away at the Sayers Club (the coolest "Old Hollywood" underground club).  There is nothing I could have added to make this night any better.

It is so nice to step outside of "normal" life every now and then with the hubby to rejuvenate and let loose.  Here is a look at the night through Instagram.  Sorry, there are no pictures from the club but I can assure you, it was one of the best clubs I have ever been to.

If you are not following me yet, come find me at @jugglinginheels!

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HOME!

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The hubby is flying home today!

Immediately following our return from Chicago last Monday, the hubby jetted off to Munich, which began his two week crazy Munich to Zurich to Los Angeles to Orange County to New York travel schedule.  Beyond the 48 hours he was home last weekend he has been gone and I am going to be honest....I am EXHAUSTED.  The first week was actually pretty easy but this week was the looooongest week I have had in a while.  I cannot tell you how happy I am that he gets home today.  I also plan falling into a deep sleeping coma to make up for all the nights of jumping awake at every little sound.

How did I keep myself busy while he was gone?  Well, beyond camps, swim team practice, visits to the pool, and visits to the park, I also...

Had our security system installed (first order of busy for anxiety lady here)


Ordered this dress from The Outnet*

Ordered these sandals from Gilt Groupe*

Ordered these shoes for the hubby*

Ordered these prints for the kitchen*

Booked a room at this boutique hotel for an upcoming night in Hollywood

Celebrated 40th birthdays here and here for two dear friends

Indulged in a good amount of wine with amazing girlfriends who made sure I was not sitting alone every night by myself.

*It is obvious that when the hubby is away online shopping can be very distracting.

In the end, it was a great two weeks with the children but I can assure you that I will be passing on cooking dinner and bath time tonight.  Take out, no bathes, early bedtimes and my exhausted self laying on the couch watching the Opening Ceremonies, perhaps with a LARGE glass of wine is in our future.

I hope you all have a great weekend!

The Fourth....And Then Some

The Fourth of July began on the 2nd for us this year with a neighborhood party and extended through the week until Wednesday night's fireworks and community celebration.  The kids had an absolute blast and the best part was, we NEVER left our community.  It is pretty nice having fabulous neighbors isn't it?

What the adults were doing while the children were distracted with the water slide

My contribution

After the wedding the hubby and I realized that we NEVER get a photo of ourselves together so we made a commitment, beginning with the fourth, that we would be better at this.  The above is proof that we are on our way.  BTW, I have no idea why I am wearing that pink bracelet.  I think my daughter handed it to me and I just stuck it on because I did not know what else to do with it.  It sort of ruins my red, white and blue theme but whatever.  Nothing I can do about that now.  I promise you, it was not a wristband for a beer garden.  PROMISE.

I completely understand that the posts this week have focused less on retail and more on events but hey, we have had a lot going on!  I promise that for those who would like to indulge in some retail therapy, there will be much more for you next week.

I hope you all have a fabulous weekend!

The Happiest Place on Earth

As you know from this post, Baby Girl turned two on Friday and we decided to spend the day at "The Happiest Place on Earth".  I LOVE Disneyland.  There is absolutely something magical about the entire place.  Baby Girl had been before but was too young at the time to really take it all in.  This time around, it was completely different.  She was in Mickey Mouse Heaven and LOVED every second of it.  It is always so much fun to watch a little one take in Disneyland for the first time.  It truly is a world of fantasy.

And my favorite photo of the entire day...

Life As We Know It

The weather has been a bit fickle around here lately.  Beautiful sunshine followed by rain storms.  Apparently Orange County is not sure if it wants to lead into Spring or stay in Winter.  I know which one I would prefer (ahem Mother Nature).  When it has not been raining we have been spending our time outside in the yard, the park or at Oldest's baseball games.  Spring Break is right around the corner and I cannot wait!

We had to say goodbye to our favorite local sugar high location frozen yogurt shop.

I also lost my "hey hubby, I would REALLY like some frozen yogurt so could you go get some?" place.

Sad for me...oh yes, and the kids.

Baby Girl has become incredibly determined.  You are NOT allowed to help her at the park.

It has been crazy to watch her grow up so fast (perhaps its the older siblings???).

Only two more months until she is two!

Date night at Pizzeria Mozza by Mario Batali.

For those of you in the Orange County area, you have got to go.

I had to be rolled out of there but it was worth it.  

And do not leave without having the butterscotch pudding!

Watching Baseball!

Four boys in their PJ's who are so excited for s'mores!

I use to LOVE sleepovers!  Actually,  still do and it is the best when a friend comes to stay.

It has been so much fun watching my Oldest experience them with his friends.

Remember this engagement party and this shower?  Well, now it is time for the Bachelorette Party!  I am heading out this morning for three days of good food and wine tasting with amazing friends to celebrate the bride.  Oh how I love these sorts of weekends!  See you Monday!

I Won!

Hello Jimmy Choo Aimee Pump.  It is nice to meet you.  A few weeks ago I made a bet with my hubby.  What did I get if I won?  You!  He was so convinced he would win that he was willing to place this large bet.  Being that this was over a pair of INCREDIBLE shoes, I felt that I had the upper hand.  Seems my determination beat out his and I am happy to report that you will now be an official member of my closet, just in time for Spring!  My hubby is pissed as much as I am excited.  Lesson to be learned here?  Never make a bet with a woman when it involves a pair of shoes.  She will always find a way to win.

UPDATE: I have already received some comments on what the bet was so here you go.  Two years ago my husband went out and bought a gym quality rowing machine.  He was obsessed with CrossFit at the time and was "going to use it all the time".  Fast forward and the thing sat in our bedroom, HARDLY used.  When we were moving, I told him I wanted to get rid of it because it was a waste of money and took up space.  He said absolutely not, he was going to use it.  I told him fine, but if he did not use it at least twice a week from February until April, I would get these lovely Jimmy Choo's.  He said DEAL because he was so convinced that he would do it and would never have to get the shoes.  He was actually doing a great job until this last week.  By Wednesday I realized that this was going my way and could I have said something?  Sure.  But why would I do that?  By the end of the week, I had won and he was not happy.  I think he will think twice before placing bets like this again.    

Packing Up

It's official!

We are moving!

Monday we signed our life away the papers and will be closing on a home today or tomorrow.  We are going to take advantage of the upcoming holiday weekend and wait to move at the end of next week.  This gives me a little over a week to get the rest of this house packed up, thrown out or donated.

I am the opposite of a hoarder when it comes to getting rid of things.  I LOVE to clean things out.  It is sort of an addiction.  It just not make sense to me to hold on to something in hopes that you JUST MIGHT look at it again in 30 years.  My hubby believes that this addiction to getting rid of things is really because it provides me an opportunity to replace them.  I completely (well, for the most part) disagree with this. 

My favorite item so far that we have found while cleaning out the garage is an entire box of weddings gifts that we have not even opened in 10 years.  10 YEARS.  We have obviously moved this box from house to house but never once decided to use anything in it.  At this point, there is no reason to keep moving it.  This box is a perfect example of why people need to STICK TO THE REGISTRY.  Off to the donation pile it goes! 

I have a lot to do over the next week but am so excited to share the house with you as I turn my retail focus into interior design.  My investment-driven hubby has me on complete lockdown for now (there may have been a slight chance he had a heart attack while signing the papers) but I am sure I am going to be able to squeeze one, two (or more) things in over the next few months.  Where there is a will, there is a way, right?!

Super Sunday

One couple...two reasons to love tomorrow.  

My hubby?

Me?

Happy watching, eating and shopping!